English Learners Program

  • D.C. Everest is committed to providing all students with access to the resources they need, when they need them. Our English Learner (EL) program offers support for our English learner and newcomer students to ensure they have the opportunity to achieve at the same level as a student who is a native speaker of English. The District respects all cultures and languages of our students and recognizes the importance of valuing a student’s multi-lingual abilities.

    Our English Learner programs are aligned with the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction’s Bilingual and English Learner Program and with WIDA English language development standards. These programs are designed to help students master the English language with emphasis placed on  speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills to help them become independent and ensure they are college, career, and life ready. 

    To support our EL students:

    • We have certified EL teachers and staff on hand to advocate on behalf of EL students and families, create individual learning plans for each EL student, and provide additional instruction outside the core classroom to assist students with language development.
    • All teachers are familiar with WIDA standards so they can support EL students within the classroom, ensure EL students feel welcome, and modify instruction and assignments as needed in support of the students’ acquisition of the English language.
    • Our EL teachers partner with our classroom teachers to develop individual goals, resources, and supports for each EL student.
    • We require district-wide professional development training focused on creating a respectful and healthy learning environment for immigrant and refugee youth.
    • Our district has a number of interpreters, translators, and community liaison staff available to facilitate communication and ensure families are fully involved in their student’s education.

    Instructional Identification:

    Parent indicates home language other than English on required DPI documentation Home Language Survey, which then allows for ACCESS testing. Following protocol of ACCESS testing and level indicators, ELP is both created and shared with parents and classroom teachers. Students' progress is monitored by certified EL staff utilizing ACCESS and the WIDA English Language Development Standards.  The district also utilizes the iReady program to monitor student progress in literacy and math K-8 and Transeo at secondary to ensure college, career and workplace readiness indicators are met by high school graduation.

    Objectives, Activities, Evaluation:

    We have certified EL teachers and staff on hand to advocate on behalf of EL students and families, to create individual learning plans for each EL student, and to provide additional instruction outside the core classroom to assist students with language development.

    All teachers are familiar with WIDA standards, so they may support EL students within the classroom, ensure EL students feel welcome, and modify instruction and assignments as needed in support of the students’ acquisition of the English language.

    Our EL teachers partner with our classroom teachers to develop individual goals, resources, and supports for each EL student.

    Other Program Components: 

    Professional Development in co-teaching and early literacy has been a continued focus in-district, with all PK4-grade 3 teachers required to successfully complete the LETRS units 1-4 PD via Voyager Sopris.  

    EL K-12 teachers co-teach with core literacy teachers to ensure that students have access to differentiated support within the core state standards.  

    Guidance and department chairs work to communicate with EL students and families access to GT, honors, AP, internship, and dual credit and transcripted courses available for them to enroll in within district offerings.

    Young Adults group run at SRH level for EL students. Cultural Club and after-school activities to celebrate student cultures at various schools 

    Our leadership team is utilizing components of Zaretta Hammond's Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain to help drive equitable and rigorous learning opportunities for all students, with focus on our EL population.

    The district also utilizes the iReady program to monitor student progress in literacy and math K-8 and Transeo at secondary to ensure college, career and workplace readiness indicators are met by high school graduation.

    Screening, Classification, Placement and Monitoring of Pupil Progress:

    1. Parent indicates home language other than English on required DPI documentation Home Language Survey, which then allows for ACCESS testing.
       
    2. Classification - Following protocols of ACCESS testing and level indicators, ELP is both created and shared with parents and classroom teachers. Students' progress is monitored by certified EL staff utilizing ACESS results, guidelines, resources, and the WIDA English Language Development Standards.
        
    3. Placement into English Learners Program:

    D.C. Everest is committed to providing all students with access to the resources they need, when they need them. Our English Learner (EL) program offers support for our English learner and newcomer students to ensure they have the opportunity to access with supports at the same level as a student who is a native speaker of English. The District respects all cultures and languages of our students and recognizes the importance of valuing a student’s multi-lingual abilities.

    Our English Learner program is aligned with the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction’s Bilingual and English Learner Program and with WIDA English language development standards. Student schedules and supports are designed to help students master the English language with emphasis placed on  speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills to help them become independent and ensure they are college, career, and life ready.  Students are able to access core and encore classes while receiving additional supports in EL teacher co-taught core classes, EL resource periods, and differentiated pathways to the curriculum that may result in accommodation or modifications as designed for the student between the EL teacher and reg ed. classroom teacher.

    1. Monitoring of Pupil Progress

    EL teachers and associates meet with classroom teachers to monitor student personalized progress to course learning standards.  EL teachers and associates who represent EL linguistic backgrounds are sought and hired to increase culturally responsive practices throughout the district.

    Students are monitored via the WIDA standards and ACCESS proficiency levels by EL certified teaching staff.  The district further utilizes iReady grades K-8 to monitor literacy and math SPG of each EL student. This information as well as classroom performance is utilized to respond to interventions and supports supplied by certified EL staff in EL resource classes.